New compact cameras - announcement roundup

[darix]

So you guys can discuss the OM-5 Mark II

and I go and drool over the Sigma 17-40/f1.8

[Thad_E_Ginathom]

@Tamas_Papp

Amateur photographers who have some experience (at least 10k exposures), and have a camera already. They are interested in gear, but with a bit of introspection, they also realize that their current gear is not what’s holding them back in 90% of the cases. They upgrade bodies once in a while, but do not necessarily purchase new.

Yes, I’m in that camp too. My current chapter in photography started about seven years ago with a Sony a6000. I soon realised that, for my intended purpose I had wasted my money on kit lenses. And it didn’t take long for me to upgrade to a6500, and then a7iv.

Both steps gave me better pictures, but perhaps as much because they made better pictures easier to take, rather than any other change.

But do I hanker after a7R series or a7V when it finally appears? Not really. I already compromised latest technology for what I could afford, and, frankly, for my purpose it is enough. Of course, there is always an occasional burp of GAS. But unless some new generation of sensor comes along that smashes the DR/noise barriers, I am just not going to get better pictures simply by adding resolution, AI autofocus, etc etc. I’m only going to get better pictures by improving my photography and processing skills.

[Tamas_Papp (Tamas K. Papp)]

@darix

discuss the OM-5 Mark II

I am pleased that there is a new camera body at this price point. AFAICT it would make a great camera for travel, similarly to the mark 1. I understand that people expected more new features, but that would have required a higher price I guess, and for that we have the OM-3.

[hatsnp (Nuno Paulino)]

@darix

and I go and drool over the Sigma 17-40/f1.8

Same…

[raublekick (Andrew Raub)]

The OM-5 mk II is a little tempting for me. If I want to make an upgrade to my macro setup I have two paths:

1. Upgrade from a Canon R10 to a Canon R7 and get the Canon 100mm macro lens
2. Get a higher quality M43 camera and get a nice Oly macro lens

The M43 path would be cheaper in the long run (I don’t really have to upgrade to an R7 but the R10 doesn’t have IBIS so that’s the big draw). I also have some decent general purpose M43 lenses already.

[europlatus]

@Tamas_Papp

I am pleased that there is a new camera body at this price point.

I think the big win with this camera is its price and the fact they kept it the same despite the economic environment. It’s a bit of a shame the sensor is now quite a few years old, and I wish M43 would try to innovate a bit more in terms of sensors. I know a lot of people think you only need 20-25MP, but to stay competitive, I think there should be options to get a higher resolution sensor. I, for one, enjoy the extra cropping power because it can mean carrying fewer lenses around, and portability is my main priority these days.

[Tamas_Papp (Tamas K. Papp)]

@europlatus

I wish M43 would try to innovate a bit more in terms of sensors

But it just did, recently: the OM-3 is the cheapest stacked sensor camera body you can get.

I don’t think they will be going for resolution though, both Panasonic and OM System prefer readout speed, for video and computational features, respectively. (FWIW, for my purposes 16 Mp would be fine. )